Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[FloridaBoy]

If a tube sounds good it is good. I have a bunch of old stock but the Chinese CV-181's seem to beat them. A good thing given the paucity of quality old stock out there.

See if Mr. H has a pair of EML solid plate 45's you can borrow.

[Analog Addict]

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy

If a tube sounds good it is good. I have a bunch of old stock but the Chinese CV-181's seem to beat them. A good thing given the paucity of quality old stock out there.

See if Mr. H has a pair of EML solid plate 45's you can borrow.

I'll have to ask him, but he and I seem to both agree that nothing beats the 1930's globe 45s. The difference is not subtle between them and the old stock ST 45s. Unfortunately the sockets on my new amp may be too close together for a full quad....

[findthomas]

FYI folks - KT-88 for sale.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=38647

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Analog Addict

I'll have to ask him, but he and I seem to both agree that nothing beats the 1930's globe 45s. The difference is not subtle between them and the old stock ST 45s. Unfortunately the sockets on my new amp may be too close together for a full quad....

Ol' Dufus here did not see that you are running four 45's. Those globes must be hard to come by now as 'good ones' were in short supply years ago.

The EML's are now $562 a pair...ouch.

[Musica Amantem]

For those who may be interested, I was not completely satisfied with the KT-77's performance, feeling something could improve upon an already great tube. I tried the following input tubes, OTBE, with the GL KT-77 (in Triode mode, with LP-27a using balloon-type 56's):

1. Super-Radiotron 6SN7 GTA (Australian RCA, 1960) - Quite neutral and great sounding. Beats both my CV-181's in presence and neatness.

2. Sylvania 6SN7 GTB (Chrome top) - Somewhat crispy (very neat) without any hints of edginess. It could be a tie with the above when absolute neutrality is not essentiial and you need to impart some life to the recording.

3. Shu Guang CV-181 T (black coating) - Nice and neutral but slightly laid-back. Depending on the recording, could tie for 2nd place.

4. Sylvania 6SN7 GT (Chrome top) - Nice and crispy but slightly edgy in the high registers, everything else great. I would use this with bolder/larger tubes as the KT-77 is already at the edge of crispness and neatness (gorgeous!).

4. Psvane CV-181 T-II (gray coating) - Nice sounding tube, except too edgy for the KT-77. It needs to be paired with less extreme (in the mids and highs) tubes like the KT-66Z from Shu Guang.

There are two or three more options to try with the KT-77 in my stable but time is limited. These readings stem from serious/critical Jazz listening, no Classical, so I still don't know how the KT-77 will perform with these input tubes in the Classical music realm.

I believe now the GL KT-77 is untouchable in the Triode Inspire setup, at least with Jazz. Nothing comes close. The mids are very transparent, airy and sweet at the same time, and the highs are extended (not a hint of roll-off), with a very neutral presentation. Great tube!

If we are interested in dialing our system, tube-rolling is essential. I have narrowed the rectifiers to only two types (274B for everything smaller than 6550/KT-88, and 5AR4 for the big guys), and just a select set of ouput tubes centered around a Triode max plate current's normal distribution where the KT-66Z and KT-77 are right at the cenit (middle) where I find the best sound for my setting.

Next is to dial-up 6P3S-e, KT-66Z and the larger bottles (6550, KT-88, etc.) with their best input tubes. In case anyone wonders, I had much fun doing this

[BearCityUSA]

Originally Posted by findthomas

FYI folks - KT-88 for sale. https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=38647

How about some in wall speakers? Will that satisfy the downsize bargain? To actually own a KT and not take advantage or even unpack it. Just crazy.

Good luck with what ever you do. With two Inspire amps and two preamps I am sorry but I will have to pass.

[Analog Addict]

I provided one of the members, Bear City I believe with 4 different vintage 6SN7s with his amp when Dennis built it. Perhaps he would be willing to share his impressions....

[CoGT3]

It was me, AA. Life has been a little crazy recently but I have spent enough time with different drivers to get a little handle on what's going on. Will,update tonight.

[Bombadil]

I have yet to try any of the CV-181 tubes, but have tried a dozen vintage 6SN7s and the reissue Tung-sol. My favorite continues to be the Westinghouse. I have two of them and when I conducted my comparisons, they came in #1 and #2. I'd have to find my notes, I believe my Sylvanias (bottom getter & chrome dome) came in #4 and #5.

There are so many versions of them. I have 13 different labels and still no CV-181, VT-231, Brimar, 6N8P, and more.

For the time being, I am using the Westinghouse solely.

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

I have yet to try any of the CV-181 tubes, but have tried a dozen vintage 6SN7s and the reissue Tung-sol. My favorite continues to be the Westinghouse. I have two of them and when I conducted my comparisons, they came in #1 and #2. I'd have to find my notes, I believe my Sylvanias (bottom getter & chrome dome) came in #4 and #5.

There are so many versions of them. I have 13 different labels and still no CV-181, VT-231, Brimar, 6N8P, and more.

For the time being, I am using the Westinghouse solely.

Do you mean the Shuguang WE6SN7 Replicas?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-Pair...-/322249428543

The advantage of the CV-181's is these are always available and are not bad tubes, though may not be the best, but it depends on the ouput tube at hand. So many choices!!